Because experience counts...

South West College operates an Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) process to acknowledge unaccredited learning experiences. APEL is a process through which the learning students have gained from experience can be counted. This process relates to prior learning which has been done by students which has not already been formally assessed. This includes prior learning gained through communitybased learning, workplace learning and training, continuing professional development and independent learning.

APEL can help students to:

Get a place on an appropriate Foundation Degree at a college if you don’t have the normal entry qualifications but can show that you have the necessary knowledge, skills and understanding.

Gain credit towards modules of a Foundation Degree so as to shorten the normal period of learning by showing that you already have the knowledge, skills and understanding needed for particular parts of the programme or qualification (e.g. units or modules).

Who is APEL for?

Individuals in the workplace looking for recognised credit for entry to an academic programme at higher education level.

Learners who may have exited a higher education programme prior to completion or the receipt of credit and who wish to count that learning towards another award.

Further information:

Part-time Higher Education

Prospective students complete a PTG1 Application Form available from their local Education Authority (EA) to assess entitlement to financial support.

Part time Higher education tuition Fees by Direct Debit

Students paying HE part-time tuition fees must pay £200 on enrolment in the form of cash, cheque or Credit/Debit Card and the balance due in 3 further instalments to be collected by direct debit on 1st December 2017, 2nd February 2018 and 30th March 2018